Method and apparatus for preventing overheating of a computer

ABSTRACT

A computer implemented method and apparatus for preventing overheating of a computer comprising sensing a disengagement action for the computer, detecting a power setting associated with the disengagement action, and performing, when the power setting is detected to be set to a preset mode, at least one of alerting the user regarding the power setting and forcing the computer into a low power state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 13/180,223 filed Jul. 11, 2011, the disclosure of whichis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to computingdevices and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for preventingoverheating of a computer.

2. Description of the Related Art

For notebook computer devices, there tends to be a high disk failurerate due to overheating of the hard disk, the video card, the processoror other components. Very often a notebook computer user will change thedefault Windows power saving settings of his or her computer. One groupof settings that is changed often is the power setting associated withthe “Lid Close Action.” This power setting is invoked upon closing thelid of the notebook computer. By default, usually the setting for “LidClose Action—On Battery” and “Lid Close Action—Plugged In” are set suchthat when the lid is closed, the notebook computer is put into a “sleep”mode. The “sleep” mode is such that, when a user re-opens theirnotebook, there is no required wait time to start up the systemsoftware, or a very minimal amount of time to wait. Often times, a userwill configure the laptop to “Do Nothing” when the notebook lid isclosed. In the “Do Nothing” mode, the LCD display is powered off, sowhen a user reopens their notebook lid, no wait time is required.However, the CPU and the hard disk continue to operate when the lid isclosed in “Do Nothing” mode and heat builds up causing detriment to thecomputer. This problem is exacerbated when a user carries the computerin a poorly ventilated bag. This situation eventually leads to hardwarefailure of the computer.

Many warnings given to users of Windows, for example, are given throughthe use of a balloon pop-up, with an appropriate message displayed inthe balloon, in the notification area. But once the lid of the notebookis closed, the user is unable to see the pop-up warnings regardingovereating.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus forpreventing overheating of a computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a computer implementedmethod and apparatus for preventing overheating of a computer comprisingsensing a disengagement action for the computer, detecting a powersetting associated with the disengagement action, and performing, whenthe power setting is detected to be set to a preset mode, at least oneof alerting the user regarding the power setting or forcing the computerinto a low power state.

Further embodiments of the present invention comprise a computing devicefor monitoring power management comprising an operating system, a sensorinterface for receiving a signal of a sensor sensing a disengagementaction, a detector, coupled to the sensor interface, for detecting acurrent power setting from a memory, an alert generator, coupled to thedetector, for sending a message to the operating system when the currentpower setting is in a preset mode to alert a user and a powercontroller, coupled to the detector, for sending a message to theoperating system when the current power setting is in a preset mode toset the current power settings to an ideal power settings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of embodiments ofthe present invention can be understood in detail, a more particulardescription of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had byreference to typical embodiments, some of which are illustrated in theappended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appendeddrawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the inventionmay admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an apparatus for preventingoverheating of a computer according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary implementation of theapparatus of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a computer implementedmethod and apparatus for preventing overheating of a computer. In anexemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for sensing a userdisengaging from a computer, detecting a power setting associated withthe disengagement, and activating at least one indicator alerting theuser of the currently configured power setting. Further, the presentinvention provides for alerting a user with at least an audio indicatoror a visual indicator, and along with the alert, a power control modulefor at least one of shutting down or hibernating the computer to preventoverheating.

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus 100 for preventing overheating of a computer in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus 100comprises a sensor 102, a lid 104, a sensor interface 105, a detector106, an alert module 108, a power control module 110, an operatingsystem 116, an alert message display 118, an audio alert 120 and amodification of power settings 122.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 102 senses whether the lid isclosing or not through the use of light sensing. One of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to alight sensor and the sensor 102 can be a mechanical sensor or the like.One of ordinary skill will also recognize that the sensor 102 is notlimited to sensing lid closure, but any disengagement action performedby a user, such as pressing a power, sleep, or shut-down button, using afingerprint reading device to sign off, and the like. The sensorinterface 105 receives a signal from the sensor 102 and communicates tothe detector 106 that the lid is closing. The detector 106 is configuredto detect the power settings of the apparatus 100, i.e., whether thesettings are set to “sleep” or “do nothing” for the lid close action.The detector 106 is in communication with both the alert module 108 andthe power control module 110. In one exemplary embodiment, a user hasconfigured the apparatus 100 such that only a visual or audio alert issent to the user. In this exemplary embodiment, the detector 106communicates with the alert module 108. The alert module 108 sends amessage 112 to the operating system 116 indicating that an alert shouldbe displayed or an audio alert should be sounded to the user regardingthe current power settings. The operating system 116 renders an alertmessage display 118, sends an audio alert 120 to the user indicatingthat the power setting is set to “sleep” or “do nothing”, or displays analert 118 and sends an audio alert 120.

In another exemplary embodiment, the detector 106 communicates with thepower control module 110. The power control module 110 sends a message114 to the operating system 116. The message 114 consists ofinstructions requesting the operating system enter a different powersetting mode, which may consist of at least “hibernate”, “shut down”, orthe like. The operating system 116 will then set the power settings ofthe apparatus 100 to the modified power settings 122 contained in themessage 114. The detector 106 can also communicate with both the alertmodule 108 and the power control module 110, such that the operatingsystem 116 both causes an alert to displayed/sounded, as well as havingthe computer's current power setting set to “hibernate”, “shut down”, orthe like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of acomputer system 200 in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention. The computer system 200 may be used to implement theapparatus 100 (shown in FIG. 1). The computer system 200 includes aprocessor 202, a memory 204, various support circuits 206, a sensor 208.The processor 202 may include one or more microprocessors known in theart. The support circuits 206 for the processor 202 include conventionalcache, power supplies, clock circuits, data registers, I/O interfaces210, and the like. The I/O interface 210 may be directly coupled to thememory 204 or coupled through the processor 202. The I/O interface 210may also be configured for communication with input devices and/oroutput devices 212, such as, network devices, various storage devices,mouse, keyboard, speakers, display, sensors and the like. The computersystem 200 is one embodiment of the present invention, but otherelectronic computing devices may also benefit from the invention. Suchdevices include, but are not limited to, laptop computers, notebookcomputers, cellular telephones, tablet devices, personal digitalassistants and the like.

The memory 204 stores processor-executable instructions and/or data thatmay be executed by and/or used by the processor 202. Theseprocessor-executable instructions may comprise firmware, software, andthe like, or some combination thereof. Modules havingprocessor-executable instructions that are stored in the memory 204comprise an overheating prevention module 222. The overheatingprevention module 222 comprises an alert module 214, a detection module216 and a power control module 220, whose operation is depicted in FIG.3 and described below. The computer system 200 may be programmed withone or more operating systems (generally referred to as operating system(OS)) 218, which may include OS/2, Java Virtual Machine, Linux, Solaris,Unix, HPUX, AIX, Windows, Windows95, Windows98, Windows NT, andWindows2000, WindowsME, WindowsXP, Windows Server, among other knownplatforms. At least a portion of the operating system 218 may bedisposed in the memory 204. The memory 204 may include one or more ofthe following random access memory, read only memory, magneto-resistiveread/write memory, optical read/write memory, cache memory, magneticread/write memory, and the like, as well as signal-bearing media.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3 represents operation of the apparatus 100 as implemented in thecomputer system 200. According to FIG. 3, the method 300 begins at step302 and proceeds to step 304. At step 304, the sensor 102 senses theclosure of the notebook lid 104 through the use of a light sensor orother types of sensors well known in the art. If no closure is detected,the method proceeds to end at step 314. If closure of the lid isdetected, then the method proceeds to step 306, where the power settingfor the “Lid Close Action—On Battery” or the “Lid Close Action—Pluggedin” is detected from memory 204. At step 308, the power setting is thencompared to determine if it is set to “sleep.” If the power setting isset to sleep, the method 200 activates an alert to the user about thepower setting at step 312. If the power setting is not in “sleep” mode,it is determined whether the power setting is in “do nothing” mode atstep 310. If the power setting is in “do nothing” mode, then the method200 activates an alert to the user about the power setting at step 312.The method ends at step 314. The alert is at least one of a visual alertin the form of an operating system prompt or pop-up, an audio alertsounding from the computer, or a combination thereof. One of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize that alerting of a user is not limitedto these embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4 represents operation of the apparatus 100 as implemented in thecomputer system 200, where the overheating prevention module 220 isstored in memory 204 and executed by the processor 202. The method 400begins at step 402 and proceeds to step 404. At step 404, the sensor 102senses if the notebook lid is being closed through the use of a lightsensor, or other types of sensors known in the art. If the lid is notclosing, the method proceeds to end at step 416. If the lid is closing,the method proceeds to step 406, where the power setting for the “LidClose Action—On Battery” or the “Lid Close Action—Plugged in” isdetected from memory 204. At step 408, the power setting is thencompared to determine if it is set to “sleep.” If the power setting isset to sleep, then the power control module 220 forces the apparatus 100to “hibernate”, “shut down”, or the like in step 414. If the powersetting is not in “sleep” mode, it is determined whether the powersetting is in “do nothing” mode at step 410. If the power setting is in“do nothing” mode, then the power control module 220 forces theapparatus 100 to “hibernate”, “shut down”, or the like in step 414. Thepower settings are stored in memory, thus a user can set the computer toshut down, hibernate, and the like as desired. If the user would like ashorter start-up time for the computer, then they choose the “hibernate”option. If the user would like the best overheating prevention, then theuser chooses the “shut-down” option. The present invention is notlimited to these power settings and a user can preset any power settingfor preventing overheating that they prefer. The method ends at step416.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4 represents operation of the apparatus 100 as implemented in thecomputer system 200, where the overheating prevention module 220 isstored in memory 204 and executed by the processor 202. The method 500begins at step 502 and proceeds to step 504. At step 504, the sensor 102senses if the notebook lid is being closed through the use of a lightsensor, or other types of sensors known in the art. If the lid is notclosing, the method proceeds to end at step 520. If the lid is closing,the method proceeds to step 506, where the power setting for the “LidClose Action—On Battery” or the “Lid Close Action—Plugged in” isdetected from memory 204. At step 508, the power setting is thencompared to determine if it is set to “sleep.” If the power setting isset to sleep, then at step 512 it is determined whether the computer hasbeen configured to alert the user of the power settings. If alert isconfigured, then the method proceeds to step 514, where the method 500activates an alert to the user about the power setting.

Where the method determines the alert is not configured, or that thealert has been active, the method proceeds to step 516 to determinewhether power modification has been configured. Where power modificationis configured, at step 518, the power control module 220 forces theapparatus 100 to “hibernate”, “shut down” or the like, as per userconfiguration. The method ends at step 520.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for preventing overheating of acomputer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6 represents operation of the apparatus 100 as implemented in thecomputer system 200. According to FIG. 6, the method 600 begins at step602 and proceeds to step 604. At step 604, the sensor 102 senses theclosure of the notebook lid 104 through the use of a light sensor orother types of sensors well known in the art. If no closure is detected,the method proceeds to end at step 612. If closure of the lid isdetected, then the method proceeds to step 306, where the detectordetermines whether at least one application is still actively running.The method 600 activates an alert to the user about the actively runningapplication at step 610. Where an application is not actively running,the method proceeds to step 608. At step 608, the method determineswhether an I/O device is connected to the apparatus 100. The method 600activates an alert to the user at step 610 if an I/O device is stillconnected. The method ends at step 612 if no application is activelyrunning and no I/O device is connected. The alert is at least one of avisual alert in the form of an operating system prompt or pop-up, anaudio alert sounding from the computer, or a combination thereof.

In another exemplary embodiment, the steps 402, 502 and 602 for “sensingclosure of the lid” can be set to a user pre-configured action, such aspressing a power button, pressing a pause button, waving a hand across asensor and the like in other exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thepresent invention does not limit the type of disengagement action theuser takes to end use of the computer and those of ordinary skill in theart would recognize that a disengagement action is not limited to lidclosure.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention operates such thatinstead of shutting down the computer when the lid closure is detected,the hard drive is spun down to a low power state or the processor ispowered down to a low power state. One of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize that the present invention is not limited to specifichardware or software to be powered down to prevent overheating, but canapply to many different pieces of hardware or software.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the present disclosure and its practical applications, tothereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the inventionand various embodiments with various modifications as may be suited tothe particular use contemplated.

Various elements, devices, and modules are described above inassociation with their respective functions. These elements, devices,and modules are considered means for performing their respectivefunctions as described herein.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

1. A computer implemented method for preventing overheating of anotebook computer comprising: detecting one or more power settingsassociated with the notebook computer; sensing a disengagement actionfor the notebook computer and an associated power setting from the oneor more power settings for the disengagement action; and alerting a userof the notebook computer that the associated power setting may degradeone or more components of the notebook computer if the associated powersetting is not modified to a low power setting.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: sensing, as the disengagement action, one of userlogoff from the notebook computer, partial lid closure of the notebookcomputer, and depressing of a button on the notebook computer indicatingdisengagement; alerting the user when the associated power setting is asleep setting or a “do nothing” setting.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising alerting the user by at least one of an audio sound,an operating system prompt, or a combination thereof.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: transmitting a message to an operatingsystem executing on the notebook computer, the message comprisinginstructions requesting the operating system to enter into a low powersetting distinct from the associated power setting; and enabling the lowpower setting for the notebook computer.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the low power setting comprises one of a “shut down” state and a“hibernate” state.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or morecomponent comprise at least one of a hard disk, a processor and a videocard.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein all of the components of thecomputer are put into a low power state.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: adjusting the associated setting by a user; andstoring the adjusted associated setting in memory of the notebookcomputer.
 9. A computer readable medium for storing software that, whenexecuted by a computer, causes a notebook computing device to: detectone or more power settings associated with the notebook computer; sensea disengagement action for the notebook computer and an associated powersetting from the one or more power settings for the disengagementaction; and alert a user of the notebook computer that the associatedpower setting may degrade one or more components of the notebookcomputer if the associated power setting is not modified to a low powersetting.
 10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, the softwarefurther comprising: sensing, as the disengagement action, one of userlogoff from the notebook computer, partial lid closure of the notebookcomputer, and depressing of a button on the notebook computer indicatingdisengagement; alerting the user when the associated power setting is asleep setting or a “do nothing” setting.
 11. The computer readablemedium of claim 9, the software further comprising alerting the user byat least one of an audio sound, an operating system prompt, or acombination thereof.
 12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, thesoftware further comprising: transmitting a message to an operatingsystem executing on the notebook computer, the message comprisinginstructions requesting the operating system to enter into a low powersetting distinct from the associated power setting; and enabling the lowpower setting for the notebook computer.
 13. The computer readablemedium of claim 9, wherein the low power setting comprises one of a“shut down” state and a “hibernate” state.
 14. The computer readablemedium of claim 9 wherein the one or more component comprise at leastone of a hard disk, a processor and a video card.
 15. The computerreadable medium of claim 14 wherein all of the components of thecomputer are put into a low power state.
 16. The computer readablemedium of claim 9, the software further comprising: adjusting theassociated setting by a user; and storing the adjusted associatedsetting in memory of the notebook computer.